All generic top-level domain name extensions and some country-code ones support a security lock functionality whose purpose is to impede unsanctioned transfers of existing domain names. Lots of registry operators that manage country-code TLDs that don’t support this feature are in the process of adopting it for better security and for the convenience of the domain name registrants. A domain name can be transferred only if it is unlocked and only a registrant who has been given access to the account with the current domain name registrar can do that. New domain names are registered with the lock feature enabled intentionally, so as to hinder any unsanctioned transfer attempts. The lock option is one of the security measures for regulating the transfer of active domains between registrars that have been adopted over the years.